The pioneer era

Copenhagen Airport was inaugurated on 20 April 1925.

It consisted of a large, impressive terminal built of wood, a couple of hangars, a balloon mast, a hydroplane landing stage and a few grassy meadows that could be used as runways. The grass on the runways was kept short by sheep, which were shepherded away before take-offs and landings.

Aviation was popular then, although mostly among daredevils. For the first few years, aviation was a summertime activity and usually only in good weather. Both pilots and the few passengers onboard were out in the open and there was no navigation equipment. Aviation evolved steadily until 1930, when radio and weather services allowed aviation throughout the year and at night as well. Aircraft grew larger and passengers were offered a seat within a closed cabin (and a few years later pilots joined them), and from then on the pace accelerated.

Det Danske Luftfartsselskab (DDL), the oldest airline in the world, which is called SAS Denmark today, increased the number of scheduled flights it offered. Copenhagen Airport soon became the natural transit airport between the Nordic region and the rest of Europe.

The growth era

Aviation was fashionable – among those who could afford it.

From 1932 to 1939, take-offs and landings rose from some 6,000 to 50,000 annually, and the number of passengers sextupled to 72,000. The airport was becoming too small.

In April 1939, it expanded by a couple of meadows, an aircraft stand of concrete and a new state-of-the-art airport terminal, which was six times the size of the old one. The terminal was designed by Vilhelm Lauritzen, who was considered a pioneer among architects, in terms not only of architecture and construction, but also of service and passenger comfort. On 19 September 1999, the terminal was moved to another location and later restored to its original condition.

1939 was a record year in the history of aviation. New direct scheduled flights were started, and Copenhagen Airport acquired two new four-engine Condor planes. As something new, a stewardess served drinks during the flight. Thus, prospects were bright until World War II broke out at the end of the year.